Asia/Pacific News
Orkim Harmony: MMEA Warns Against Speculation After "Inside Job" Claim
Deputy director-general Vice-Admiral Maritime Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has urged "all quarters" against making speculations over the hijacking of product tanker MT Orkim Harmony, local media reports.
The comments reportedly come after a newspaper on Sunday claimed the involvement of an "inside man."
Ahmad Puzi has said the agency's forensic officer has begun collecting evidence and the investigating officer was taking statements from witnesses on the vessel.
The MMEA says it has begun the process to extradite the hijackers of Orkim Harmony from Vietnam, confirming that the eight men had admitted to hijacking the vessel.
The master and crew of the hijacked vessel were said to have been provided with counselling by the Armed Forces Hospital and Mercy Malaysia and were released at about 2:30am on Friday.
The Orkim Harmony was located last Thursday after going missing for a week off the coast of Pu Aur, Malaysia.
Earlier this month Orkim Harmony's sister vessel, Orkim Victory, was also targeted by bunker pirates while transiting the same area.
In May, an analyst suggested a link between bunker pirates and "insider information" being passed on through Singapore bunkering activity.
